Dear siblings in Christ,
Because of the events of past several years, and especially that last 50 days, many of us are feeling more vulnerable than we ever have in our lives. The preponderance of corruption, communicable diseases, and curated chaos are combining to make us uncomfortably aware right now of the essential frailty of being human.
In moments of like these, we are tempted to abandon faith, hope, and love as unrealistic ideals, and in desperation and fear, turn our energy toward survival at any cost. It’s tempting to give up on hope and give ourselves over to despair and cynicism and contempt for humanity. It’s tempting to give up on love, and leave behind the ones who can’t keep up, and just take care of ourselves.
But part of the good news of Lent is that God knows exactly how we feel. In the incarnation of Jesus, God has experienced the vulnerability and frailty of being a creature of flesh and blood, confronted with the same threats we fear, assaulted by the same temptations we face to grasp for security and control and assurance at all costs.
But where we and our ancestors failed, Jesus prevailed: in the midst of suffering, he refused the temptation to abandon his mission and act in his own self-interest. He stayed faithful to God’s will and entrusted himself to God’s care, and in so doing, vanquished the forces of death that held us captive in their grip. Because of this, right in this very moment, the risen and ascended Christ is present with you in your vulnerability, to protect you from being overwhelmed by temptation, and to deliver you from evil.
Where are you feeling the vulnerability and frailty of being human right now? Where do you feel yourself tempted to abandon faith, hope, and love and grasp for security, control, and assurance at any cost? What would it look like for you to simply open yourself right now, just for a few moments, to God’s protection and provision and presence?
Perhaps the Collect for the First Sunday in Lent will help:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
I’m looking forward to continuing to worship and pray and eat and learn together with you this Lent!
In Christ,
Fr. Ben
